The recent orthopaedic use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) has been referred to as a “promising but not proven treatment option.” PRP Injection Treatment for tendon and other soft tissue injuries may be considered a new, experimental, and/or unproven technique by insurance companies. Therefore, this treatment may not be covered by insurance.
Although PRP Injection Treatments for tendon and other soft tissue injuries are relatively new, the use of growth factors within PRP to help heal wounds dates back to the early 1980’s.
Platelet-Rich Plasma has been used for years in plastic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, dental implant surgery, and spinal fusion surgery. I am committed to being on the cutting edge of this therapy. I continually collect data, review studies, and seek information on PRP to keep up with the latest scientific information.
If further studies prove the effectiveness of this treatment, then I wouldn’t be surprised if insurance companies require PRP Injection Treatments before authorizing surgery. This is because PRP injections cost much less than surgery, and these injections may eliminate the need for subsequent surgery.
I have seen dramatic improvement in many patients since I began using this technique. I initially used PRP injections only in “last resort” or salvage situations for patients who had failed all other non-operative treatments. These patients had severe pain due to tendon degeneration and partial tears. They were significantly limited in their daily activities, and pain often interfered with sleep at night. These patients had excellent results, and they are now sending me other people with similar problems.
